Method and system for training a person to walk

ABSTRACT

A set of footwear includes a left foot piece configured to hold a left foot of a first person; a right foot piece configured to hold a right foot of the first person; a first attachment member attached to a top surface of the left foot piece, wherein the first attachment member is configured to hold a left foot of a second person; and a second attachment member attached to a top surface of the right foot piece, wherein the second attachment member is configured to hold a right foot of the second person.

SUMMARY

In some aspects of the present description, a set of footwear includes a left foot piece configured to hold a left foot of a first person; a right foot piece configured to hold a right foot of the first person; a first attachment member attached to a top surface of the left foot piece, wherein the first attachment member is configured to hold a left foot of a second person; and a second attachment member attached to a top surface of the right foot piece, wherein the second attachment member is configured to hold a right foot of the second person.

In some aspects of the present description, a method of teaching a person to walk is provided, including the steps of placing a first set of footwear on a first person; and placing a second set of footwear on a second person, wherein a bottom surface of the second set of footwear is attached to a top surface of the first set of footwear, such that the second person in the second set of footwear is able to walk in step with the first person in the first set of footwear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a foot piece with attachment member for a system for training a person to walk, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

FIG. 2 is an assembled, perspective view of a foot piece with attachment member for a system for training a person to walk, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a foot piece with attachment member for a system for training a person to walk, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present description;

FIG. 4 is an assembled, perspective view of a foot piece with attachment member for a system for training a person to walk, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present description;

FIGS. 5A-5C provide views of an attachment apparatus for use in a system for training a person to walk, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

FIG. 6 illustrates an attachment member for use in a system for training a person to walk, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description;

FIG. 7 illustrates an operational scenario for a system for training a person to walk, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description; and

FIG. 8 is a flowchart outlining steps in a method of teaching a person to walk, in accordance with an embodiment of the present description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof and in which various embodiments are shown by way of illustration. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. It is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated and may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the present description. The following detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

One of the biggest steps in the development of a child is when an infant first learns to walk. Babies typically begin crawling around 7 months old, then may begin pulling themselves up (e.g., holding onto a piece of furniture and pulling themselves up into a standing position) shortly thereafter. Babies may then begin to “cruise,” or walk around while supporting themselves with walls and furniture. Learning to walk without help, however, requires the baby to develop leg muscles, coordination skills, and balance. Many parents help their babies develop these things by assisting them in walking, usually by standing behind the baby, grasping their hands or upper arms, and then walking forward, supporting the baby as they attempt to take a few shaky steps. However, the baby must literally stumble through this process, as they have no true concept yet of how they should move their legs forward one step at a time.

According to some aspects of the present description, a set of footwear includes a left foot piece (e.g., a shoe or slipper) configured to hold a left foot of a first person; a right foot piece configured to hold a right foot of the first person; a first attachment member attached to a top surface of the left foot piece, wherein the first attachment member is configured to hold a left foot of a second person; and a second attachment member attached to a top surface of the right foot piece, wherein the second attachment member is configured to hold a right foot of the second person.

As used in this description, the term “foot piece” shall be used to refer to any appropriate type or style of footwear or garment for covering and/or securing a person's feet, including, but not limited to, slippers, shoes, sandals, and socks. The term “attachment member” shall be used to refer to device or means for holding a foot of a second person (i.e., attaching it) to a foot (i.e., foot piece) of a first person. In some embodiments, an “attachment member” may be a second “foot piece” as defined above, a strap, a pocket, a harness, or any other appropriate means of holding the foot or feet of a second person (e.g., a baby) to the foot or feet of a first person (e.g., an adult helping a baby to walk.)

In some embodiments, the first attachment member may be fixedly attached (i.e., “permanently” attached, such as sewn on or attached by adhesive) to the left foot piece, and the second attachment member may be fixedly attached to the right foot piece. In some embodiments, the first attachment member may be removably attached (i.e., temporarily attached) to the left foot piece, and the second attachment member may be removably attached to the right foot piece. In some embodiments, the first attachment member may be attached to the left foot piece by a first hook and loop fastener, and the second attachment member may be attached to the right foot piece by a second hook and loop fastener. In practice, it may be more convenient to place the feet of a second person (e.g., a baby) into the first and second attachment members before the first and second attachment members are attached to the first and second foot pieces worn by a first person (e.g., an adult).

According to some aspects of the present description, a method of teaching a person to walk includes the steps of placing a first set of footwear on a first person; and placing a second set of footwear on a second person, wherein a bottom surface of the second set of footwear is attached to a top surface of the first set of footwear, such that the second person in the second set of footwear is able to walk in step with the first person in the first set of footwear.

In some embodiments, the method of teaching a person to walk may also include the step of attaching the second set of footwear to the first set of footwear, and, more specifically, attaching a bottom surface of the second set of footwear to a top surface of the first set of footwear.

In some embodiments, the attachment step may be performed before the steps of placing the first set of footwear on the first person and placing the second set of footwear on the second person. In some embodiments, the attachment step may include fixedly (i.e., “permanently”) attaching the second set of footwear to the first set of footwear. In some embodiments, the attachment step may include removably (i.e., temporarily) attaching the second set of footwear to the first set of footwear (e.g., through hook and loop fasteners, or via a strap). In some embodiments, the attachment step may be performed after the steps of placing the first set of footwear on the first person and placing the second set of footwear on the second person. For example, in some embodiments, it may be convenient to place the first set of footwear on an adult and the second set of footwear on a baby before attempting to attach the second set of footwear to the first set of footwear.

In some embodiments, the first set of footwear includes a left foot piece and a right foot piece, and the second set of footwear comprises a first attachment member and a second attachment member, as defined elsewhere herein.

Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of a “combination shoe” for a system for training a person to walk, and FIG. 2 is an assembled, perspective view of the “combination shoe” of FIG. 1. It may be convenient to examine both figures in unison for the present discussion. A system for training a person to walk 100 (which, for the purposes of discussion may also be referred to as a “combination shoe” 100) includes a first foot piece (e.g., a shoe) 20 and a first attachment member 10 (e.g., a second smaller shoe).

As described elsewhere herein, the terms “foot piece” and “attachment member” may refer to various means for containing, holding, or securing a foot, some of which will be discussed in later figures. Typically, the term “foot piece” will be used to describe a set of footwear for a first, larger person (e.g., an adult), and the term “attachment member” will be used to describe a set of footwear (or similar means for securing feet) for a second, smaller person (e.g., a baby). In some embodiments, a foot piece and an attachment member may be the same type of footwear (e.g., they may both be shoes). In some embodiments, an attachment member may be as simple as a strap attached to the underlying foot piece, configured to hold the foot of a second person (such as a baby) to the foot piece of a first person (such as an adult) for the purposes of teaching the second person to walk in stride with the first person.

First attachment member 10 is attached to a top surface of first foot piece (e.g., a first shoe) 20 in an attachment location 20 a. FIG. 1 shows combination shoe 100 prior to the attachment and FIG. 2 shows the assembled combination shoe 100. First attachment member 10 is attached to first foot piece 20 in such a way that a foot of a baby wearing first attachment member 10 is able to move in unison with the foot of an adult wearing first foot piece 20. The method of attachment may be a permanent attachment means (e.g., stitched together, adhered via fabric adhesive, etc.) or may be a temporary attachment means (e.g., hook and loop fasteners, tied together by a strap or band, attached with clips/hooks, etc.) The step of attaching the first attachment member 10 to first foot piece 20 may be done prior to placing the shoes on the person or persons wearing the foot pieces or attachment members, or may be done once the person or persons are already wearing the foot pieces or attachment members. In practice, the system for training a person to walk would include a pair of combination shoes 100, a left combination shoe and a right combination shoe, which would be substantially identical in function and manufacture.

FIG. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of an embodiment of a foot piece (e.g., a shoe) with an attachment member for a system for training a person to walk, and FIG. 4 is an assembled, perspective view of the shoe with attachment member of FIG. 3. In some embodiments of the present description, the feet of the second person (e.g., a baby learning to walk) may be held in place on top of foot piece 20 via attachment member 10 a, where attachment member 10 a is a means of attaching or securing the feet of the second person to the footwear worn by the first person. In some embodiments, attachment member 10 a may itself be a shoe (e.g., a baby shoe or slipper). However, it should be understood that attachment member 10 a need not be a literal shoe (as the second person will not be walking on the ground or floor). As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, attachment member 10 a may be a pocket or pouch into which a baby's foot may be placed. In some embodiments, a strap 12 or other securing means may be included on attachment member 10 a in order to keep the foot of the second person from slipping out of the pocket. The attachment member 10 a may be fixedly or removably attached to a top surface of foot piece 20 at attachment location 20 a. FIG. 3 shows attachment member 10 a prior to attaching to foot piece 20, and FIG. 4 shows attachment member 10 a already assembled to first foot piece 20.

As with other embodiments in the present description, the process of attaching attachment member 10/10 a to foot piece 20 may, in some embodiments, be performed prior to feet being inserted into foot piece 20 or attachment member 10/10 a, or, in other embodiments, after the feet have been inserted. FIGS. 5A-5C provide views of an embodiment of the present description where the attachment member 10/10 a may be removably attached to foot piece 20. FIGS. 5A-5C may be applied to any of the embodiments previously discussed, including the embodiments of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. Accordingly, references to “attachment member 10” in the following discussion shall be interpreted to be inclusive of the term “attachment member 10 a,” as well as variations on the embodiments shown herein.

FIG. 5A provides a top view of a combination shoe 100/100 a showing the attachment member 10 in place, attached to the top surface of foot piece 20. FIG. 5B provides a bottom view of one embodiment of attachment member 10 with an attachment apparatus 15a (e.g., strips of hook and loop fasteners) fixedly attached to a bottom surface 11 of attachment member 10. FIG. 5C provides a top view of foot piece 20 with attachment member 10 removed, showing attachment apparatus 15 b on the top of foot piece 20 (in attachment location 20 a), which may be configured to mate with attachment apparatus 15 a on attachment member 10.

The attachment member 10/10 a illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5A-5C are depicted as a pocket for holding a foot with an optional strap 12. However, this example embodiment is not intended to be limiting. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate embodiment of an attachment member 10 b for use in a system for training a person to walk. Combination shoe 100 c includes a foot piece 20 (to be worn by a first person, such as an adult) and attachment member 10 b. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, attachment member 10 b takes the form of a strap which is permanently attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, etc.) to foot piece 20. In practice, the foot of a second person, such as a baby, is slipped into and held in place by the strap, such that the foot is able to move in coordination with a foot in foot piece 20. As previously discussed, various alternate embodiments consistent with the present description may be employed, wherein alternate means of securing the foot of a smaller person (such as a baby) to another, larger person (such as an adult) are used.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example operational scenario for an embodiment of a system for training a person to walk. In this scenario, a first person 40 places their feet in each of foot pieces 20 of combination shoes 100. The feet of a second, smaller person 30 are similarly placed within each of attachment members 10 which are attached, either fixedly or removably, to each of foot pieces 20. First person 40 then holds the arms of second person 30 to provide support and assist with balance, and begins walking with slow, deliberate steps, such that the feet of second person 30 move in coordination with the feet of first person 40.

Finally, FIG. 8 is a flowchart outlining steps in an embodiment of a method 700 of teaching a person to walk. First, the feet of a first person are placed into a first set of footwear (Step 710). Second, the feet of a second person are placed into a second set of footwear (Step 720). Next, the second set of footwear is attached to a top surface of the first set of footwear (Step 730). Finally, the first person begins walking, holding the hands of the second person, such that the feet of the second person (wearing the second set of footwear) move in coordination with the feet of the first person (wearing the first set of footwear). It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the attachment process of Step 730 may be done prior to Steps 710 and 720, or that the second set of footwear may be “permanently” (fixedly) attached to the first set of footwear, such that no further attachment step is required when employing the system.

Descriptions for elements in figures should be understood to apply equally to corresponding elements in other figures, unless indicated otherwise. Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed:
 1. A set of footwear, comprising: a left foot piece configured to hold a left foot of a first person; a right foot piece configured to hold a right foot of the first person; a first attachment member attached to a top surface of the left foot piece, wherein the first attachment member is configured to hold a left foot of a second person; and a second attachment member attached to a top surface of the right foot piece, wherein the second attachment member is configured to hold a right foot of the second person.
 2. The set of footwear of claim 1, wherein the left foot piece and the right foot piece are each selected from a group consisting of shoe, sandal, slipper, and sock.
 3. The set of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first attachment member and the second attachment member are each selected from a group consisting of shoe, slipper, sock, sandal, pocket, harness, and strap.
 4. The set of footwear of claim 3, wherein the first attachment member is fixedly attached to the left foot piece, and the second attachment member is fixedly attached to the right foot piece.
 5. The set of footwear of claim 3, wherein the first attachment member is removably attached to the left foot piece, and the second attachment member is removably attached to the right foot piece.
 6. The set of footwear of claim 5, wherein the first attachment member is attached to the left foot piece by a first hook and loop fastener, and the second attachment member is attached to the right foot piece by a second hook and loop fastener.
 7. A method of teaching a person to walk, comprising: placing a first set of footwear on a first person; and placing a second set of footwear on a second person, wherein a bottom surface of the second set of footwear is attached to a top surface of the first set of footwear, such that the second person in the second set of footwear is able to walk in step with the first person in the first set of footwear.
 8. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 7, further comprising the step of attaching the bottom surface of the second set of footwear to the top surface of the first set of footwear.
 9. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 8, wherein the step of attaching the bottom surface of the second set of footwear to the top surface of the first set of footwear occurs after the steps of placing the first set of footwear on the first person and placing the second set of footwear on the second person.
 10. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 9, wherein the second set of footwear is removably attached to the first set of footwear by a set of hook and loop fasteners.
 11. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 9, wherein the step of attaching the bottom surface of the second set of footwear to the top surface of the first set of footwear occurs before the steps of placing the first set of footwear on the first person and placing the second set of footwear on the second person.
 12. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 11, wherein the bottom surface of the second set of footwear is fixedly attached to the top surface of the first set of footwear.
 13. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 7, wherein the first set of footwear comprises a left foot piece and a right foot piece, and the second set of footwear comprises a first attachment member configured to be attached to the left foot piece and a second attachment member configured to be attached to the right foot piece.
 14. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 13, wherein the left foot piece and the right foot piece are each selected from a group consisting of shoe, sandal, slipper, and sock.
 15. The method of teaching a person to walk of claim 13, wherein the first attachment member and the second attachment member are each selected from a group consisting of shoe, slipper, sock, sandal, pocket, harness, and strap. 